Ierapetra, on Crete's southern coast

Ierapetra is a city in Crete.

Having the distinction of being the southernmost city facing the African coast, Ierapetra enjoys the smoothest, almost rainless weather in Europe, with a temperature that rarely drops below 12^oC all year. It has the largest population in the prefecture of Lassithi (East Crete) and the fourth largest in all Crete. In 2001 it had 15,400 inhabitants.

Get in

By bus

The KTEL intercity buses connect Ierapetra to Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, to Sitia and other towns.

By plane

The closest airport (58 km) with frequent domestic and charter flights is Sitia airport (JSH ^IATA). There is also a ferry line from Piraeus to Sitia.

See

The visitor can take a leisurely walk in the vivid city centre, along the coast, in the small municipal park near the Town Hall, or in the quiet picturesque narrow streets of "Kato Mera" - the old part of the town.

Do

• Walk with Donkeys Sanctuary, Anatoli (15 minutes drive from Ierapetra. Phone for directions and time), ☏ +30 697 6088547. appointment. A sanctuary for unwanted, injured and abused donkeys. Situated in a beautiful area just below the village of Anatoli there is a sanctuary for donkeys. Offering guided walks with the donkeys to carry the delicious picnic that is provided. Donkey rides for children. Farm visits to see donkeys and other animals. Get away from the tourists and enjoy the mountain air and peaceful nature and beauty. Phone for an appointment. tba. 

Buy

The character and charm of the old warm neighborhood has been retained, whilst it has been given new life as a shopping and eating experience for the visitor. A tempting variety of shops, open-air cafes, bars, restaurants and traditional taverns, makes Ierapetra the ideal place to relax, enjoying shopping, eating, drinking or simply wandering around.

Drink

The prefecture of Lassithi produces probably the best "raki" in Crete, a white spirit made from grapes. Try it at some local "taverna" or "kafenio", together with "meze".

Sleep

Huge, luxurious hotel complexes have been built in the last years inside and around Ierapetra. There are also lots of small guest houses and rent rooms.

• Dorovinis Houses in Ierapetra. A group of restored Venetian houses in Anatoli Village. 

Budget

• 1 Camping Koutsounari (beside Almyra Hotel), ☏ +30 2842 061213. (updated Feb 2016)
• El Greco Hotel, 42, "Mihali Kothri" St, ☏ +30 28420 28471, +30 28420 28472. 2-star hotel with 33 rooms. WC/bath or shower, satellite TV, air-conditioning, mini fridge. (updated Feb 2016)
• 2 Galaxy Hotel, 4, Omirias St, ☏ +30 28420 26541. (updated Feb 2016)
• 3 Kothris Apartments, Andrianou St, ☏ +30 28420 24180. Furnished apartments. (updated Feb 2016)
• 4 Zakros Hotel, 12, Andrianou St. (updated Feb 2016)

Mid range

• Aroma Creta Hotel (Ferma village), ☏ +30 28420 61163, info@aromacreta.gr. (updated Feb 2016)
• Astron Hotel, 56, Kothri Str., ☏ +30 28420 25114, +30 28420 25117, astron@hotelastron.com. (updated Feb 2016)
• Blue Star Hotel (Katharades beachh), ☏ +30 28420 25060, +30 28420 89113. (updated Feb 2016)
• 5 Coriva Village (Ferma village), ☏ +30 28420-61160, +30 28420-61161, +30 28420-61162. (updated Feb 2016)
• Irene Villas, ☏ +30 28420 28361. Apartments (updated Feb 2016)
• 6 Kakkos Bay Hotel 3 Αστέρια (Ferma village), ☏ +30 28420 61111. (updated Feb 2016)
• Minoan Prince Hotel, ☏ +30 28420 25150. (updated Feb 2016)
• Nakou Village Apartments (Koutsounari), ☏ +30 28420 61815. 21 self-catering studios and apartments, built in 1987 and renovated in 2007. Satelite TV, Air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. (updated Feb 2016)
• 7 Porto Belissario (village of Ferma), ☏ +30 28420 90910, +30 28420 61360. (updated Feb 2016)

Splurge

• 8 Arion Palace Hotel, ☏ +30 28420, +30 25930, +30 22240. 4-star hotel. 82 rooms equipped with satellite TV, refrigerator, safe, telephone, hair dryer. 800 m from the beach (updated Feb 2016)
• Ostria Beach Hotel (Katharades beach), ☏ +30 28420 25711-4, ostriahotel@ostriahotel.gr. 5 Stars hotel (updated Feb 2016)
• Creta Suites Resort (1 Km from Koutsounari beach), ☏ +30 28420 61915, cretasuites@hotmail.com. 4 Stars hotel (updated Feb 2016)
• 9 Almyra Hotel & Village, 9th km of Ierapetra - Sitia Road (Koutsounari beach), ☏ +30 28420 62550, info@almyrahotel.gr. Upscale resort with private beach (updated Feb 2016)
• 10 Diktynna Luxury Villas (Anatoli village). 4-Stars residence complex (updated Feb 2016)
• 11 Petra Mare Hotel, 6, "Filotheou A'" Str, ☏ +30 28420 23341-9. 4-star hotel. 227 rooms with balcony (updated Feb 2016)
• 12 Sunshine Crete Beach & Village Hotels (Koutsounari beach), ☏ +30 28420 61713. (updated Feb 2016)
• Tylissos Beach Hotel, +30 28420 80546, +30 28420 23798 (on the outskirts of Ierapetra). (updated Feb 2016)

Go next

The street near the Town Hall is where most bars and small night clubs are gathered. They are popular with locals, especially during the holidays (July–August, Christmas and Easter), and on Friday and Saturday nights.

Eating and drinking is a major part of the Cretan merry-making, and can make a great night out. You get find some excellent food in taverns in the villages around Ierapetra, either on the sea side, or further higher on the surrounding mountains.